Beehive machine building kit

This project provides a series of modular parts that can be easily composed to make linear motion axes and machine components. The core of the project is based on:

• Aluminum extrusions, or 3D printed alternative
• Derlin wheel carriages
• Grid of tap-in-plastic M5 holes with 10mm spacing

The project is named after the grid of holes that can either be busy or free, much like cells in a beehive.

Terminology

Beam

A beam serves as a linear structural element, as well as a guide for a linear motion system. Standard 20mm alluminum extrusions are compatible, but you can also choose to 3D print your own custom beam.

Endcaps

An endcap sits on the end of a beam and can join several of them.

Attachments

Attachments offer specific functionality (e.g. hosting a motor, a pulley or a toolhead) and offer a grid of M5, 10mm spaced hole for easier composability:

They can be combined with an endcap to sit on the end of a beam, here are some examples:

Interposers

Interposers sit between two attachments, and offer pass-through M5 holes with a 10mm spacing.

Carriage

A carriage sits on a beam and can slide onto it. They are typically carried by a string or a timing belt.

Dimensions

Grid of holes

The grid of hole present on any attachment is an M5, 10mm spacing grid.

Endcaps

The end of a beam presents a docking zone for an endcap, following these rules:

• 30mm length
• Two M5 pass-through holes, distanced by 12mm
• Three faces present M5 holes, one doesn't

Endcaps can use any of the 6 holes for fastening.

Example

A complete implementation of a linear axis is presented here

Files

The files can be found here, provided in the following format:

• Fusion archive (.f3d)
• Step file (.step)
• 3D print file (.stl)